Work Text:
Non, rien de rien
Non je ne regrette rien
Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait
Ni le mal, tout ça m'est bien égale...
Edgeworth scrambled to locate his phone underneath the mess of books, paperwork, and laptop spread across his desk.
“Yes yes I hear you that’s enough, ugh where did I… alright, alright, shut up… ah!” He snatched it up and pressed Answer. “Miles Edgeworth. This had better be good.”
“Well, hello to you, too.” Phoenix laughed.
“Oh… hello.”
“You sound like you’re having a fantastic day.”
Edgeworth tugged some papers out from under his computer, glancing at each one before dropping them on top of a pile of folders. “I’m busy. Is there something you needed to talk to me about?”
“Nothing super important. I just wanted to confirm our plans.”
“Couldn’t you have just texted me?”
“I did. Six times.”
“Ah. My apologies.” Edgeworth tucked his phone against his cheek and turned back to the email he had been writing. “My mind has been… uh...”
“Elsewhere?”
“Yes. What were you asking?”
“I can’t remember if our reservations are at seven or seven-thirty.”
“Our… oh.” Edgeworth dropped his phone on his desk and rubbed his eyes with the heels of both hands.
“Edgeworth? Uh, Miles?” Phoenix said, barely audible.
He sighed and gingerly picked the phone back up. “I… I’d forgotten. I’m sorry.”
“No problem! So I’ll see you at seven? Or seven-thirty?”
“Ah… actually, I’ve had quite a bit of work come up.”
There was a pause. “Oh.”
Edgeworth cringed. “I’m so sorry. Meetings, and… and paperwork, you know. I was in court all morning and it dragged on, you know how it is--”
“Yeah. Yeah, I know. It’s ok.”
“And I came back to the office and it turns out the police overlooked something, so I have to go back out to the crime scene, plus I’m reviewing another case that may or may not be related--”
“Hey! It’s ok, Miles. You’re busy. We’ll just reschedule, ok?”
Edgeworth sighed again. “I always seem to be rescheduling our… our...”
“Our dates?”
“... yeah.”
“You’ve got a lot of stuff on your plate. I understand.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“Well… I mean, I want to see you, but I get it.”
Edgeworth swallowed. Although it had been at least seven or eight weeks since he and Wright-- Phoenix, that is-- had… had spoken with each other about the nature of their relationship, they had only managed to schedule and go on five dates. It still felt like a lot to Edgeworth; going from zero dates in over two decades to five in two months was a terrifying transition. Even the thought of being with someone, in a romantic sense-- that vulnerability, the openness that required-- scared the living daylights out of him. Actually trying it… that was huge and horrifying and… kind of wonderful.
“Phoenix, would… would you like to stop by for a drink later tonight?”
The line was silent for a brief moment. “Y-yeah! That sounds great!”
“I should be out of the office by nine o’clock. Shall we say ten?”
“I… okay! I’ll see you then!”
Edgeworth was still fussing with the sleeves of his cardigan when the front gate buzzer sounded. Pess leapt up from her bed and began yipping. She scampered for the door, tail in the air, as Edgeworth followed her to the intercom in the front hall.
“Uh… hello.”
“Hi. Um… I’m here!”
“I’ll unlock the gate. Just come up the path. I’ll be at the door.”
“‘Kay.”
He went to the door and unlocked it. Pess sniffed excitedly at the doorframe and wiggled out as soon as she could fit through the opening. She sped down the path, yapping into the darkness.
“Pess!”
“Whoa! Hi there, sweetheart!” Phoenix walked closer, into the circle of light from the porch lamp. He crouched down to Pess’ level, letting her sniff his hand before reaching out to pet her. She let him stroke her head for a second before backing away and continuing her verbal onslaught.
“Pess! That’s enough. Leave him alone.”
“She’s fine, really. I like dogs. Hi, Pess! Aren’t you a pretty girl?”
“She needs to learn to listen to commands. Pess! Get!”
Pess glanced at him, considering obedience, and settled for growling at Phoenix from a safe distance away.
“She’s cute. I kinda forgot you had a dog until she came running at me,” Phoenix said as he climbed the porch steps.
“I meant to keep her inside, but she snuck out. I hope she didn’t startle you too badly.”
“Just a little. Anyway… uh, hi,” he said, grinning. “Can I, um… have a kiss?”
Edgeworth cleared his throat. “Mmhmm.”
They bumped noses and broke apart. “Oops,” said Phoenix. “Here--” he cupped Edgeworth’s cheek and leaned in again. Edgeworth found that even now, after having kissed Phoenix several times over the past few dates (including one night that had resulted in a bit more than could be categorized as “just a kiss”... anyway...), he still didn’t know what to do with his hands. He just sort of left them at his sides, trying not to reflexively ball his fists.
Phoenix broke the kiss and nuzzled Edgeworth’s nose (which somehow made him more nervous than the kiss had). “I think Pess wants to be let in.”
She was, in fact, standing at the door expectantly. Edgeworth pushed it open and followed her inside. Phoenix stepped awkwardly over the threshold behind him, glancing around the foyer.
“Wow.”
“Um… welcome,” Edgeworth said, indicating the house with a tentative sweep of his hand.
“Edgeworth-- Miles, I knew you were rich but… wow.”
“Yes, it’s quite a nice estate.”
Phoenix whistled. “I wish I had an ‘estate,’” he grumbled. “I bet Pess likes having all this space to run around in, don’t you, pretty girl?”
Pess barked from down the hall.
“Yes. We both enjoy having a lot of room all to ourselves.”
“Yeah,” Phoenix said. “It’s kinda perfect for you.”
“Yes, it’s… um, would… would you like a glass of wine?”
“Sure!”
“I can show you the wine cellar and you can pick what you’d like.” Edgeworth led the way to the stairs.
Phoenix laughed and followed him. “Yeah, ok.”
“What?” he asked.
“You have a wine cellar.”
“It’s really just a corner of the basement. The von Karmas have a much more impressive selection than I do, but,” Edgeworth smirked as he turned on the basement light. “I have better taste than either of them.”
Phoenix smiled back at him, genuine and sweet. “Isn’t Germany famous for beer, anyway? Not wine?”
“Mmm. ‘Beer numbs one’s sense of taste. It is for those who need assistance stomaching bad food and bad company.’ He said that often.”
“What a charmer.”
Edgeworth went over to the shelves of dusty bottles. “Let’s see what I have.”
“You’re really gonna open a new bottle?”
“Of course.”
“Isn’t that...” Phoenix’s ears had a slight pink tinge on them, which Edgeworth had learned was a sure sign of embarrassment. “Isn’t that kind of a big deal?”
He quickly turned back to the shelves. “I suppose.”
“Oh. Well… does that make… this a big deal?”
Edgeworth found himself wishing he had worn something looser than the cardigan he had on. He was sure Phoenix could see his heart drumming in his chest even with his back turned.
“Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
Edgeworth let out a tiny bit of the breath he found himself holding in. “S-so, what… what do you like?”
“For wine? Honestly, I’m completely ignorant, so I’ll let you do the picking.”
Edgeworth turned back around and sighed dramatically. “I brought you all the way down here so you could give me your input, Wright, and you’re going to give me the weakest answer you could possibly give?”
Phoenix snorted. “Please. You brought me down here so you could impress me with your fancy booze.”
Edgeworth folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me it didn’t work.”
“Eh.” Phoenix shrugged. “It’s alright I guess.”
Edgeworth tsked and turned back to the wine. It felt good to tease each other. It was like a lighter, kinder version of their rapid-fire back-and-forths in court.
“I suppose, if you won’t provide any input, I’ll just have to guess at what you’d like.” He pulled a stout, round bottle out from behind a row of whites. “Shall we head upstairs?”
In the kitchen, Edgeworth wiped the label of the bottle free of dust and showed it to Phoenix.
“A Tokaji Aszú, vintage 1996.” He carefully uncorked it and poured a splash of the clear, golden wine into two glasses. “Care for a taste?” He picked his up and swirled it. As he inhaled it the way he’d been taught, he noticed Phoenix copying his actions carefully. They both took a sip. “Hmm. Thoughts?”
“It’s good. Really sweet.”
Edgeworth chuckled. “It is a dessert wine, after all.” He sipped again, swishing it around his mouth for a moment before swallowing. “This is a noble rot. They’re characterized by their ginger and honey accents.”
Phoenix was staring, bemused. “Okay then. Show-off.”
“It’s sweeter than I would normally prefer, but it seemed like something you might like.”
“That’s, uh… I do like it. thanks.” He paused. “Thanks… for the wine, and for inviting me over. I know you had a rough day, but you still made the effort to see me, and that means a lot.”
Edgeworth coughed and poured them each a full glass. “You’re welcome, although I apologize for forgetting our previous plans. I never intended for us to have such a casual, uh… date.”
Phoenix grinned. “Casual? A casual date is making out in your sweatpants in front of a crappy action movie. This is really, really nice.”
Edgeworth smoothed one leg of his freshly-ironed slacks. He suddenly felt self-conscious. “I suppose our experiences and standards differ.”
Phoenix looked at him, still grinning. “Man, you’re cute.”
Edgeworth’s heart kicked into high gear, and he felt himself begin to blush. He found himself unable to look at Phoenix, or even in his general direction. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me that before.”
From the corner of his eye, he could see Phoenix open his mouth to say something, then shake his head and take another sip of wine. Usually, he would let it go-- of the two of them, Phoenix was the persistent truth-seeker, not him-- but Phoenix was clearly trying to suppress another one of those cheeky smiles.
“What?”
Phoenix was blushing, too. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”
“You were going to say something.”
“I swear, it’s nothing!” He held up his hands to attest to his innocence.
“You’re making me think that you were going to mock me.” Edgeworth narrowed his eyes, which made Phoenix squirm.
“It’s nothing, I just… This is going to be even more embarrassing than our first date.”
“What?”
“I was just going to say that I think you’re really cute… and also, like, ridiculously hot.”
“... Ah.”
Now Edgeworth was the one squirming. They both fell silent as they stared at their glasses of wine. Phoenix downed the rest of his in one gulp, perhaps to avoid the pressure of speech. After a horrific few seconds of tension, Phoenix cleared his throat.
“So, can I see the rest of the house? I mean, unless you’re tired or… if that’s rude of me.”
“Uh, no, that’s quite alright. You haven’t seen the den yet, or the view from the balcony.”
“Well, here in the Colonies we call it a ‘living room,’ but okay.”
Edgeworth sniffed. “I can call it whatever I like.”
“Sure. So can I see it?”
Edgeworth nodded shyly and moved to lead the way. Before he could get very far, Phoenix grabbed his wrist.
“What is it?” he asked.
Phoenix shrugged and slipped his hand into Edgeworth’s. “Nothing.”
He laced their fingers together and gently swung their hands back and forth on the way through the house.
“Honestly, I kind of pictured you living in a bigger version of your office, but this is really tasteful.”
“I would thank you, but I was clearly just insulted.”
Phoenix chuckled. “Just a little. Whoa.”
They had reached the den. Phoenix stopped short, taking in the whole picture. A matching set of plush purple furniture was artfully arranged around an ornate cherrywood table, of which Edgeworth was undeniably proud. He had spotted it at an antique dealership specializing in renaissance revival pieces and would have left with it that second if he could have. Phoenix’s gaze panned over the table, the couch, and the flat-screen television before settling on the enormous painting on the opposite wall.
“No way.”
Edgeworth puffed up proudly. “You like it?”
“You have a giant Icarus in your living room?”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“Yeah, mine too.” Phoenix wandered closer, pulling Edgeworth with him. “Wow. It’s a really nice replica.”
“I had it commissioned, actually.” They studied the painting together.
“You commissioned a six-foot-tall replica of Landscape with the Fall of Icarus for your house?”
“Well, I only had to special order the print, but I commissioned the frame. Like I said, it is one of my favorite works.”
Phoenix shook his head. “You are ridiculous.”
“Perhaps. This was the basis for the whole room. I pulled the green from the ocean for the walls.”
“Yeah, it looks great. It looks fantastic. But,” he tore his eyes from the painting to look at Edgeworth. “I would never want this painting in my house. It’s one of my favorites, but it makes me so sad. I mean, he’s drowning and no one’s paying any attention at all. Doesn’t that make you sad?”
Edgeworth took a moment to respond. “It’s suspected that in the original painting, Daedalus could be seen in the upper left hand corner of the sky. Did you know that?”
“Yeah. Some people think that, at least.”
“Ah, that’s right. You told me you were an art major for a while.”
“Yep. I took a couple art history classes as electives, but I only remember stuff about this one and a couple of my other favorites.”
“You’ll have to share your preferences with me someday.”
Phoenix squeezed his hand. “Yeah. That would be fun. But hey, I was promised a balcony with a view.”
“Right.”
Pess came running from upstairs when she heard the balcony door open, pushing past Phoenix and racing down the steps to the yard.
“Whoa! Careful, pretty girl. You almost tripped me.”
“Ugh. I’m sorry that my dog has no manners.” Edgeworth scowled at her wagging tail as she perused the bushes.
“Hey, this is really nice.” Phoenix rested his arms on the railing. “The city’s all lit up.”
Edgeworth stepped up beside him. “One of the many perks of living on a hill is being able to see the whole city. The sunsets are especially breathtaking.”
Phoenix shot him a skeptical glance. “I don’t believe you ever make it home from work before sundown, Miles Edgeworth.”
“Did I say sunsets? I meant sunrises.”
Phoenix snorted. “Revising your testimony, eh? Don’t get caught in your own web of lies!”
“Oh, hush.”
Phoenix eventually excused himself, yawning. Edgeworth walked him down to the front gate once his cab arrived and received a sleepy, warm kiss for his efforts. Phoenix wrapped his arms around Edgeworth’s waist and leaned forward as they kissed, which made Edgeworth’s head spin a little. He adjusted his footing quickly, before Phoenix could accidentally turn a goodnight kiss into a full-on dip.
“Whoops. Almost knocked us over,” Phoenix chuckled.
Outside the gate, the taxi honked.
“Yeah, I’m coming. Asshole.” He sighed. “Way to ruin the moment. Goodnight, Miles. Thanks again for inviting me over.”
“A-anytime. Thank you for coming, Phoenix.”
“I’ll call you about that art chat, ‘kay?”
“I look forward to it.”
Edgeworth took his time walking back up to the house. Pess thumped her tail on the porch as he approached.
“Yes, alright. He’s gone.” He glanced around, making sure there was no one around who would see him talking to his dog. “You’d better work on your manners, Pess.” She blinked at him, supremely uninterested in his scolding. “You need to learn to be nice to Mr Wright. You might be-- no, you will be seeing a lot more of him. So… so get used to it, alright?” He smiled, just a little. “Be nice to him. He really likes you.”